WASHINGTON, May 31 (Reuters) - The leaders of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on Friday invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint meeting of Congress, a show of support amid partisan divides over Israel's campaign in Gaza.

The letter inviting Netanyahu was signed by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

"To build on our enduring relationship and to highlight America’s solidarity with Israel, we invite you to share the Israeli government’s vision for defending democracy, combating terror, and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region," the letter said.

It did not propose a date for the speech.

Johnson had said the Israeli leader would soon address a joint meeting of Congress, amid heightened tensions with President Joe Biden's administration over Netanyahu's handling of the war in Gaza.

The Republican speaker had said he would invite Netanyahu whether or not congressional Democratic leaders signed onto the letter.

Johnson was one of many Republicans who had criticized Biden for saying he would withhold a shipment of bombs to Israel if it mounted a large-scale invasion of Rafah, a southern Gaza city were many thousands of Palestinians had fled during the war.

Billions of dollars in U.S.-made weaponry remains in the pipeline for shipment to Israel.

Photo from Reuters